Oscar’s Short Film Shortlist

In December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the titles advancing to nomination voting for the 90th Academy Awards Best Animated Short Film race. Plucked from the 63 submitted qualifying films, the top 10 will be whittled down to five nominees by the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members, to be announced January 23.

Cradle

CradleDevon Manney, directorProduced By: USC School of Cinematic Arts (U.S.)Qualifying Win: Student Academy Award (Silver Medal: Animation – Domestic)Official Selections: Aesthetica Film Festival, AnimaSyros Festival, St. Cloud Film Fest 2017Synopsis: Returning to the U.S.A. after losing both arms overseas, a young veteran battles phantom pains, prosthetics, and memories of his pre-war life while reaching for a sense of normalcy. A hint of children’s book illustration and digital-chalk pastels counterbalance the weight of the story.devonmanney.com

Dear Basketball

Dear BasketballGlen Keane, director & Kobe Bryant, writerProduced By: Gennie Rim; Glen Keane Prod. (U.S.)Qualifying Release: Theatrical, Los AngelesOfficial Selection: Tribeca Film FestivalSynopsis: L.A. Laker legend Bryant’s inspiring retirement poem is hand-drawn to life by veteran animator Keane and swelled by stirring music from Oscar-winning composer John Williams. The star-powered short speaks to the game of basketball through Bryant’s gratitude and love for the sport that changed his life.kobebryant.com | glenkeane.com

Fox and the Whale

Fox and the WhaleRobin Joseph, director & producerQualifying Release: Theatrical, Los AngelesAwards: Fastnet Film Festival, Oxford Film Festival, ReelAsian Film Festival, Sene Film Festival, VIEW Conference 2016Synopsis: Blending 2D and 3D elements into a rich and painterly digital world, this tale of pursuit and longing follows a curious little fox as he goes in search of an elusive whale. Kim Leow, Joseph’s partner, created the CG character animation while the director handled everything else.patchoforange.com/foxandthewhale

In a HeartbeatEsteban Bravo & Beth David, directorsProduced By: Ringling College of Art and Design (U.S.)Qualifying Win: Student Academy Award (Gold Medal: Animation, Domestic)Awards: European Cinematography Award, HIMPFF, Lake View Int’l Film Festival, Out Here Now, NCGLFF, Trinity Film FestivalSynopsis: A shy, red-haired boy is dragged along a fateful race when his heart literally leaps out of his chest to chase down his dreamy crush. A viral smash-hit upon its YouTube release, the short uses bubblegum-bright CG and an all-ages, relatable story about first love with a positive LGBTQ message.inaheartbeat-film.tumblr.com

Life Smartphone

Life SmartphoneChenglin Xie, directorProduced By: China Central Academy of Fine ArtsQualifying Win: Student Academy Award (Gold Medal: Animation, International)Official Selections: DC Shorts Film Festival, San Francisco Int’l Film Festival, Spike & Mike’s, Sundance Film Festival, Zlin Film FestivalSynopsis: It’s the revenge of the smartphone zombies in this darkly comic, refreshingly cartoon-y short that explores device distraction accidents. The digital obsession is highlighted by blank textured backgrounds filled only by the objects and people in each character’s immediate personal bubble.vimeo.com/user48417496

Lost Property Office

Lost Property OfficeDaniel Agdag, director & Liz Kearney, producerProduced By: 8th in Line (Australia)Qualifying Win: Sydney Film Festival (Yoram Gross Animation Award)Awards: AACTA Award, Dendy Awards, Melbourne Int’l Film FestivalSynopsis: Agdag’s meticulously hand-crafted cardboard world revolves around a thorough and practical man named Ed who manages the Lost Property Office. When Ed realizes he’s been made redundant, he decides to re-appropriate his cherished lost objects and bid his basement post a whimsical farewell.Lostpropertyoffice.com.au

Lou

LouDave Mullins, director & Dana Murray, producerProduced By: Pixar Animation StudiosQualifying Release: Theatrical, with Cars 3Official Selections: San Francisco Int’l Film Festival, SXSWSynopsis: Lou is a collaged creature made up of unclaimed items in a school’s Lost and Found box who collects left-behind objects after recess each day. When a bully starts taking other kids’ toys, Lou leaps to their defense — but discovers compassion is better than punishment. Composer Christophe Beck (Trolls, Frozen) composed the score.pixar.com/lou

Negative Space

Negative SpaceRu Kuwahata & Max Porter, directorsProduced By: IKKI Films (France)Qualifying Win: Anima Mundi (Grand Prix)Awards: 3D Wire, Anima Cordoba, Annecy Int’l Animated Film Festival, Busho Film Festival, Encounters Film Festival, KROK Animation Festival, Pixelatl, Turku Animated Film Festival, et al.Synopsis: A dad who is always heading out the door for a business trip teaches his son how to pack a suitcase in this bittersweet, meditative blend of stop-motion and CG animation, adapted from Ron Koertge’s original poem. The directors sought out visceral, tactile materials to key into their childhood memories of sight, sound and touch.ikkifilms.com